Obituary of Denise Marie Kovas
Denise M. Kovas, age 54, passed away peacefully at home on May 26th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and dogs.
A devoted wife, mother, daughter, and friend, Denise will always be remembered for her generous heart, wittiness, and the deep, unwavering love she showed to everyone around her. She lived a life devoted to others always putting the needs of those she cared for before her own.
She was married to her beloved husband, Bob, for 31 wonderful years. Together, they raised three children— twins girls, Kailey and Molly, and son, Conor—who are their greatest accomplishments in life. Besides spending valuable time with family, Denise cherished the time she spent with her lifelong high school friends, holding those bonds close throughout the years. She also found great joy in the friendships she built within her neighborhood, alongside fellow parents from her children’s sports teams, and with her coworkers—each group a testament to the warmth, kindness, and connection she brought into every corner of her life.
Denise was a proud Chicago White Sox fan and an enthusiastic supporter of Bemidji football. Whether she was cheering in the stands or at home, her passion for sports was only matched by her devotion to her family.
She was the daughter of the late Patricia Rockwood and is survived by her father, Thomas Rockwood, and his wife, Stacia; as well as her half-sister, Mackenzie. Denise shared a close bond with Bob’s family, including his brothers Michael (Kelly) and John (Amanda), and her cherished nephews Colin, JP, and Ben.
She had a heart of gold, a spine of steel, and a laugh that could be heard three rooms away.
Her legacy will live on through her family and many friends she has touched. Though Denise’s time with us was far too short, she wouldn’t want those she loved to be weighed down by sorrow. She would want us to carry on with strength, to live fully, and to honor her memory by embracing life with the same spirit and resilience she so beautifully embodied.
Throughout her courageous battle with cancer, Denise held tightly to a personal mantra that captured her fierce determination: ‘Keep F****** Going.’ Those words weren’t just a slogan—they were a source of strength, a reflection of her unwavering bravery, and a testament to the relentless spirit with which she faced every challenge.
She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
Visitation for Denise Kovas will be held Friday, May 30, 2025, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., from the funeral home to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 N. Brookforest Drive, Shorewood, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (www.colorectalcancer.org) would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500, or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
